Trailer hitch assemblies and related methods

ABSTRACT

A trailer hitch assembly sized and shaped to fit within a trailer hitch receptacle, wherein the trailer hitch assembly includes a first tubular element and a second tubular element. Each tubular element has an angled end, wherein the angled ends of the first tubular element and the second tubular element are complementary to each other. The trailer hitch assembly may further include at least one guide to assist in aligning the first tubular element with the second tubular element along the angled ends. The trailer hitch assembly may further include an actuator configured to engage both the first tubular element and the second tubular element and to diagonally displace the first tubular element relative to the second tubular element.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/503,989, filed Oct. 1, 2014, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated herein in its entirety by this reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to trailer hitch assembliesfor use in vehicle trailer hitch receptacles and related methods.

BACKGROUND

Known non-wobble two-piece trailer hitches are described in, forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 6,835,021 to McMillan, filed May 28, 2003; U.S.Pat. No. 5,423,566 to Warrington et al., filed Aug. 26, 1993; and U.S.Pat. No. 5,685,686 to Burns, filed Mar. 22, 1996, the disclosure of eachof which is incorporated herein by reference. Such trailer hitchesemploy opposed wedge-shaped surfaces that displace one element of thetwo-piece hitch assembly laterally or diagonally with respect to anotherelement of the two-piece hitch assembly to cause two or more of theelements to press against two or more internal side walls of a hitchreceptacle. The trailer hitches of the above-referenced patents aredescribed as being useful for supporting bicycles.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the present disclosure includes a trailer hitchassembly. The trailer hitch assembly may be sized and shaped to fitwithin a trailer hitch receptacle. The trailer hitch assembly mayinclude: a first hitch member having a rectangular cross section andhaving a first end and a first angled end opposite the first end. Thefirst angled end may have a planar end surface extending from a firstedge of the first hitch member to a second diagonally opposite edge ofthe first hitch member. The first edge may define a line along alongitudinal length of the first hitch member. The planar end surface ofthe first angled end may extend along a plane. A reference line may bein the plane between the first edge and the second diagonally oppositeedge, wherein the line defined by the first edge and the reference linein the plane define an acute angle therebetween. A second hitch membermay have a second end and a second angled end opposite the second end.The second angled end of the second hitch member may be complementary tothe first angled end of the first hitch member. At least one guideprojection may be disposed partially within at least one of the firsthitch member and the second hitch member and may longitudinally extendfrom one of the angled ends of the first hitch member or the secondhitch member. The trailer hitch assembly may include an actuatorconfigured to engage both the first hitch member and the second hitchmember and configured to diagonally displace the first hitch memberrelative to the second hitch member upon actuation.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure includes a trailer hitchassembly including: two hitch members. Each hitch member of the twohitch members may have an angled end, wherein the angled ends of the twohitch members are configured to complementarily align one with another.The angled end of each of the two hitch members may include a planar endsurface that extends from a first edge of a respective hitch member ofthe two hitch members to a second diagonally opposite edge of therespective hitch member of the two hitch members. The trailer hitchassembly may include an actuator configured to engage both of the twohitch members and to diagonally displace the two hitch members relativeto one another. The trailer hitch assembly may further include a firsthole in a side wall of one of the two hitch members and a second hole ina side wall of the other of the two hitch members. The first hole andthe second hole may be configured to be aligned when the two hitchmembers are aligned along the angled ends of the two hitch members.

In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure includes a method offorming a trailer hitch assembly. The method of forming a trailer hitchassembly may include forming two hitch members having complementaryangled ends and forming a hole in a side wall of each of the two hitchmembers. The two hitch members are configured to align together alongthe complementary angled ends. The method may include attaching at leastone guide projection to an interior surface of at least one of the twohitch members and attaching a ball mount to one of the two hitchmembers. The method may include forming a first actuator hole throughthe ball mount and forming a second actuator hole through a nut mount.The second actuator hole may have an enlarged portion. The method mayinclude securing the nut mount to the interior surface of one of the twohitch members and aligning the second actuator hole of the nut mountaxially with the first actuator hole of the ball mount. The method mayinclude positioning a nut within the enlarged portion of the secondactuator hole of the nut mount, inserting an elongated bolt through thefirst actuator hole in the ball mount, and engaging the elongated boltwith the nut.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a trailer hitch assembly according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an angled end of a hitch member of thetrailer hitch assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the trailer hitchassembly of FIG. 1 inserted into a trailer hitch receptacle.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first hitch member of the trailerhitch assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial side view of an angled end of a firsthitch member of the trailer hitch assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a cutaway side view of a second hitch member and nut mount ofthe trailer hitch assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an end view of the nut mount and trailer hitch assembly ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a hitch member and nut mount of atrailer hitch assembly according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a hitch member and nut mount of a trailer hitchassembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of an actuator and a trailerhitch assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of an actuator and a trailerhitch assembly according to another embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the actuatorof FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a top view of a portion of the actuator and a portion of thetrailer hitch assembly of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a trailer hitch assembly according toan embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The illustrations presented herein are not meant to be actual views ofany particular trailer hitch or component thereof, but are merelyidealized representations that are used to describe embodiments of thedisclosure.

As used herein, the term “substantially” in reference to a givenparameter, property, or condition means and includes to a degree thatone skilled in the art would understand that the given parameter,property, or condition is met with a small degree of variance, such aswithin acceptable manufacturing tolerances. For example, a parameterthat is substantially met may be at least about 90% met, at least about95% met, or even at least about 99% met.

As used herein, the term “longitudinal” means along a length of thetrailer hitch assembly extending from a ball mount of the trailer hitchassembly to a distal end of the trailer hitch assembly opposite the ballmount, which is the distal end being configured for insertion into atrailer hitch receptacle of a vehicle.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include trailer hitch assembliesthat include a first hitch member and a second hitch member withcomplementary angled ends and an actuator for diagonally displacing thefirst and second hitch members relative to each other. The diagonaldisplacement may force the first and second hitch members against aninterior surface of a trailer hitch receptacle to secure the trailerhitch assembly within the trailer hitch receptacle.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a trailer hitch assembly 100 accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure. The trailer hitch assembly100 may include a first hitch member and a second hitch member. In someembodiments, the first and second hitch members may be a first tubularelement 102 and a second tubular element 104, respectively. Inalternative embodiments, as shown in FIG. 14, the first and second hitchmembers may be a first solid element 101 and a second solid element 105.The first solid element 101 may have a bore hole 103 extending throughthe first solid element 101. In other embodiments, the first and secondhitch members may include the first solid element 101 and the secondtubular element 104 and vice versa. For convenience, the first andsecond hitch members will be referred to below as the first tubularelement 102 and second tubular element 104. However, it is understoodthat the first and second hitch members may be tubular (e.g., hollowwith relatively thin sidewalls, FIG. 1) or solid (e.g., solid with abore hole 103 extending therethrough, FIG. 14). The first tubularelement 102 may have a first end 106 and a first angled end 108 oppositethe first end 106. Each tubular element of the first and second tubularelements 102, 104 may include two side walls 110, an upper wall 112, anda lower wall 114. The first end 106 of the first tubular element 102 maybe attached to a ball mount 115. Ball mounts are known in the art andmay include a ball mount hole 116 for attaching a trailer ball. Trailerballs are available in various sizes to accommodate complementary sizesof trailer hitch couplers of trailers. In some embodiments, the walls110, 112, 114 of each of the first tubular element 102 and the secondtubular element 104 may have a wall thickness 117 of at least about 3/16inch. The respective wall thicknesses 117 of the first tubular element102 and of the second tubular element 104 may be at least substantiallythe same or may be different. For example, in some embodiments, thewalls 110, 112, 114 of the first tubular element 102 and the secondtubular element 104 may have the same wall thicknesses 117 of about 3/16inch. In other embodiments, the walls 110, 112, 114 of the first tubularelement 102 may have a wall thickness 117 of about ¼ inch and the walls110, 112, 114 of the second tubular element 104 may have a wallthickness 117 of about 3/16 inch. In some embodiments, both the firsttubular element 102 and second tubular element 104 may have equalrespective external circumferences 119. In other embodiments, respectiveexternal circumferences 119 of the first tubular element 102 and secondtubular element 104 may be different.

Each of the first tubular element 102 and second tubular element 104 mayinclude a rectangular tube that includes four longitudinally extendingedges defined between adjacent walls of the side walls 110, upper wall112, and lower wall 114. The first tubular element 102 may include afirst edge 120 and a second edge 122. The first edge 120 may be at anintersection of the lower wall 114 and one of the side walls 110 of thefirst tubular element 102. The second edge 122 may be at an intersectionof the upper wall 112 and the other of the side walls 110 of the firsttubular element 102 and may be diagonally opposite the first edge 120.The first tubular element 102 may include a first central axis 170,which may extend generally centrally in a longitudinal direction of thefirst tubular element 102. The first central axis 170 may be centeredbetween the upper and lower walls 112, 114 of the first tubular element102 and centered between side walls 110 of the first tubular element102. The second tubular element 104 may include a second central axis171, which may extend generally centrally in a longitudinal direction ofthe second tubular element 104. The second central axis 171 may becentered between the upper and lower walls 112, 114 of the secondtubular element 104 and centered between side walls 110 of the secondtubular element 104.

The first angled end 108 of the first tubular element 102 may include afirst planar end surface 118 extending from the first edge 120 of thefirst tubular element 102 to the second edge 122 of the first tubularelement 102 diagonally opposite the first edge 120. In otherembodiments, the first planar end surface 118 may extend from one sidewall 110 of the first tubular element 102 to the other side wall 110 ofthe first tubular element 102.

The first tubular element 102 may include a first hole 136 in one of theside walls 110. A center of the first hole 136 may be substantiallycentered between the upper wall 112 and lower wall 114 of the firsttubular element 102. Furthermore, the first hole 136 may be locatedlongitudinally between an end of the first edge 120 on the first angledend 108 and an end of the second edge 122 on the first angled end 108 ofthe first tubular element 102. In embodiments where the first planar endsurface 118 extends from one side wall 110 of the first tubular element102 to the other side wall 110 of the first tubular element 102, thefirst hole 136 may be located between the two side walls 110 on thefirst angled end 108 relative to the longitudinal length of the trailerhitch assembly 100. The trailer hitch assembly 100 may include asecurity pin 138 configured to be inserted through the first hole 136.

The second tubular element 104 of the trailer hitch assembly 100 mayhave a second end 148 opposite a second angled end 128. The secondangled end 128 of the second tubular element 104 may be complementary insize and shape to the first angled end 108 of the first tubular element102. As used herein, the term “complementary” means that one angled endis a complement of another angled end. In other words, the angled ends108, 128 are so configured that when the two tubular elements 102, 104are placed together along the angled ends 108, 128, the two tubularelements form two mutually completing parts of the trailer hitchassembly 100. Stated another way, the term “complementary” means thatwhen two complementary pieces are placed together, the two complementarypieces form a whole. In the current disclosure, the first and secondtubular elements 102, 104 form complementary pieces of the trailer hitchassembly 100. On the other hand, as used herein, the term“complementary” in reference to angles does not refer to the addition ofthe angles resulting in a right angle. The second tubular element 104may include a third edge 152 and a fourth edge 154. The third edge 152may be at an intersection of the lower wall 114 and one of the sidewalls 110 of the second tubular element 104. The fourth edge 154 may beat an intersection of the upper wall 112 and the other of the side walls110 of the second tubular element 104 and may be diagonally opposite thethird edge 152. In some embodiments, the second angled end 128 mayinclude a second planar end surface 150 extending from the third edge152 of the second tubular element 104 to the fourth edge 154 of thesecond tubular element 104 diagonally opposite the third edge 152. Thesecond planar end surface 150 of the second tubular element 104 may becomplementary to the first planar end surface 118 of the first tubularelement 102, such that the first and second planar end surfaces 118, 150are parallel to each other when the first and second tubular elements102, 104 are aligned.

As used herein, the term “aligned,” when used in relation to a firsttubular element 102 and a second tubular element 104, means having thefirst tubular element 102 placed next to the second tubular element 104and having the first angled end 108 of the first tubular element 102 indirect contact with a second angled end 128 of the second tubularelement 104. When the two tubular elements 102, 104 are aligned, thefirst central axis 170 of the first tubular element 102 and the secondcentral axis 171 of the second tubular element 102 are collinear.Furthermore, when the first tubular element 102 and second tubularelement 104 have walls of substantially the same wall thickness and arealigned, the first angled end 108 may be in contact with substantiallyall of the second angled end 128 and vice versa. The term “aligned”further means that an upper wall 112 of the first tubular element 102 isat least substantially flush with an upper wall 112 of the secondtubular element 104 and that a lower wall 114 of the first tubularelement 102 is at least substantially flush with a lower wall 114 of thesecond tubular element 104.

The trailer hitch assembly 100 may include at least one guide projection140 attached to an interior surface 144 of at least one of the twotubular elements 102, 104. The at least one guide projection 140 mayprotrude at least partially from the angled end 108, 128 of the tubularelement 102, 104 to which the at least one guide projection 140 isattached. For example, the first tubular element 102 may include atleast one guide projection 140 protruding at least partially from thefirst angled end 108 of the first tubular element 102 and configured toenter at least partially into the second tubular element 104. In someembodiments, the at least one guide projection 140 may be a thin rodwith a portion of the rod thinner than the remainder of the rod. Thethinner portion of the rod may protrude from the first angled end 108 offirst tubular element 102. In other embodiments, the at least one guideprojection 140 may be a thin flat bar protruding from first angled end108 of first tubular element 102. In other embodiments, the at least oneguide projection 140 may include, for example, a tab, pin, bolt, and/orflange. The at least one guide projection 140 may be configured toassist in aligning the first tubular element 102 with the second tubularelement 104. In embodiments including a first solid element 101 and/or asecond solid element 105, the first and second solid elements 101, 105may include at least one cavity 113, as shown in FIG. 14. The at leastone cavity 113 may permit an extending portion of at least one guideprojection secured to an opposite tubular element to enter therein andmove therein when the two tubular elements 101, 105 are aligned. Furtherdetails regarding the at least one guide projection 140 are providedbelow with reference to FIG. 5.

In some embodiments, when the first tubular element 102 and the secondtubular element 104 are aligned, the first edge 120 of the first tubularelement 102 may align with the third edge 152 of the second tubularelement 104, and the second edge 122 of the first tubular element 102may align with the fourth edge 154 of the second tubular element 104. Inembodiments where the wall thicknesses 117 of both tubular elements 102,104 are substantially the same, when the first tubular element 102 isaligned with the second tubular element 104 and prior to diagonaldisplacement and misalignment, the second angled end 128 and secondplanar end surface 150 may be sized and shaped such that the secondplanar end surface 150 may be in contact with substantially all of thefirst planar end surface 118, and vice versa. In embodiments where thewall thicknesses 117 of the two tubular elements 102, 104 differ, whenthe first tubular element 102 is aligned with the second tubular element104 and prior to diagonal displacement and misalignment, the planar endsurface 118, 150 of the angled end 108, 128 of the tubular element 102,104 with the thicker walls may be in contact with substantially all ofthe planar end surface 118, 150 of the angled end 108, 128 of thetubular element 102, 104 with the thinner walls. Furthermore, when thefirst tubular element 102 is aligned with the second tubular element 104and prior to diagonal displacement and misalignment, the first centralaxis 170 of the first tubular element 102 and the second central axis171 of the second tubular element 104 may be collinear.

The second tubular element 104 may include an actuator 158 including anut mount 164 disposed within the second tubular element 104. The nutmount 164 may include a secured portion 172 and a nut 178. The securedportion 172 may be secured to an interior of the fourth edge 154 of thesecond tubular element 104. The actuator 158 may further include anelongated bolt 160 (FIG. 3) extending through the first tubular element102 for bringing the two tubular elements 102, 104 closer together. Inembodiments, as shown in FIG. 14, including either a first solid element101 or a second solid element 105, the at least one cavity 113 mayinclude a cavity 113 in the first solid element 101 sized and shaped toreceive the nut mount 164 therein when the two elements 101 or 102 and105 or 104 are aligned. Further details regarding the actuator 158 areprovided below with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first angled end 108 of the firsttubular element 102 of the trailer hitch assembly 100 according to anembodiment of the invention. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the first planarend surface 118 of the first angled end 108 of the first tubular element102 may extend along a plane 124 (shown in broken lines). The first edge120 of the first tubular element 102 may define a line 126 along alongitudinal length of the trailer hitch assembly 100. The plane 124 mayinclude an imaginary line 127 extending in the plane 124 from the firstedge 120 to the second edge 122 of the first tubular element 102. Insome embodiments, an acute angle β may be defined between the line 126defined by the first edge 120 and the imaginary line 127 extending inthe plane 124.

In embodiments where the first planar end surface 118 extends from oneside wall 110 of the first tubular element 102 to the other side wall110 of the first tubular element 102, the imaginary line 127 may extendfrom a middle of one side wall 110 of the first tubular element 102 to amiddle of another side wall 110 of the first tubular element 102. Inthese embodiments, the acute angle β may be defined between a side wall110 of first tubular element 102 and the imaginary line 127 extendingthrough the plane 124.

In some embodiments, the acute angle β may be less than about 90degrees. In other embodiments, the acute angle β may be less than 60degrees. In other embodiments, the acute angle β may be less than 45degrees. In yet other embodiments, the acute angle β may be less than 30degrees. In some embodiments, the acute angle β is configured such thatthe security pin 138 can extend simultaneously through both the firstand second hole 136, 156 (FIG. 1) when the first and second tubularelements 102, 104 are aligned.

In other embodiments, an obtuse angle may be defined between the line126 defined by the first edge 120 and the imaginary line 127 extendingin the plane 124.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the trailer hitchassembly 100 of FIG. 1 inserted into a trailer hitch receptacle 132. Thetrailer hitch assembly 100 may include an actuator 158 for causing thefirst tubular element 102 to diagonally displace and misalign relativeto the second tubular element 104 after the trailer hitch assembly 100has been inserted into the trailer hitch receptacle 132. The actuator158 may include one or more elements located in both the first tubularelement 102 and second tubular element 104. In some embodiments, theactuator 158 includes an elongated bolt 160 and a first actuator hole162 extending through the ball mount 115 of the first tubular element102. The elongated bolt 160 may have a head end 166 and a threaded end168, as shown in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the first actuator hole162 may be countersunk to accommodate the head end 166 of the elongatedbolt 160. The actuator 158 may further include the nut mount 164 securedwithin the second tubular element 104. The nut mount 164 may include thesecured portion 172 secured to the fourth edge 154 and to at least aportion of each of the upper wall 112 and a side wall 110 inside thesecond tubular element 104. The secured portion 172 may have a secondactuator hole 174 extending therethrough. The nut mount 164 may includethe nut 178. The second actuator hole 174 may be countersunk foraccommodating and securing the nut 178 therein. The nut 178 may have afirst threaded center hole 180 (FIG. 8). When in use, the elongated bolt160 may extend from the first actuator hole 162 in the ball mount 115 ofthe first tubular element 102 to the nut mount 164 secured inside of thesecond tubular element 104. The elongated bolt 160 may further extendalong and be centered on the first central axis 170 of the first tubularelement 102 when in use. The first central axis 170 of the first tubularelement 102 may extend through a center of the first actuator hole 162in the ball mount 115 as shown in FIG. 3. In use, the threaded end 168of the elongated bolt 160 may be threaded into the first threaded centerhole 180 of the nut 178. Further details regarding the secured portion172 are discussed below with reference to FIG. 8.

A tightening tool 196 may be configured to engage the head end 166 ofthe elongated bolt 160. A user may use the tightening tool 196 to turnthe elongated bolt 160 to cause diagonal displacement and misalignmentof the first tubular element 102 relative to the second tubular element104. In some embodiments, elongated bolt 160 need only be rotated by180° to cause sufficient diagonal displacement and misalignment of thefirst tubular element 102 relative to the second tubular element 104 totighten the trailer hitch assembly 100 within the trailer hitchreceptacle 132. The tightening tool 196 may be sized and shaped toenable a user to engage the head end 166 of the elongated bolt 160 andturn the elongated bolt 160 even when there is a ball mounted in theball mount hole 116 of the ball mount 115. In some embodiments, thetightening tool 196 may be permanently attached to the head end 166 ofthe elongated bolt 160. In other embodiments, the tightening tool 196may be separate and distinct from the elongated bolt 160. In embodimentswhere the tightening tool 196 is separate and distinct from theelongated bolt 160, the trailer hitch assembly 100 may further include aholder 198 configured to securely hold the tightening tool 196 when thetightening tool 196 is not in use. In some embodiments, the holder 198may include a magnet for securing the tightening tool 196 to the trailerhitch assembly 100. The holder 198 (e.g., magnet) may be located in thelocation shown in FIG. 3 or in another location, such as within a recessformed in the ball mount 115. In other embodiments, the holder 198 mayinclude a loop of metal secured to the trailer hitch assembly 100through which the tightening tool 196 may be inserted when not in use.

The second tubular element 104 may include a second hole 156 in one ofthe side walls 110 for receiving the security pin 138 (FIG. 1). A centerof the second hole 156 may be substantially centered between the upperwall 112 and lower wall 114 of the second tubular element 104.Furthermore, the second hole 156 may be longitudinally located betweenan end of the third edge 152 on the second angled end 128 and an end ofthe fourth edge 154 on the second angled end 128 of the second tubularelement 104. The second hole 156 may be further located such that thecenter of the second hole 156 is at least substantially aligned with thecenter of the first hole 136 (FIG. 1) when the first tubular element 102and the second tubular element 104 are aligned, such that the securitypin 138 (FIG. 1) can simultaneously extend through both the first hole136 and the second hole 156 while engaging the trailer hitch receptacle132. When the security pin 138 (FIG. 1) extends simultaneously throughboth the first hole 136 (FIG. 1) and the second hole 156 and engages thetrailer hitch receptacle 132, the first and second holes 136, 156 mayhave sufficient clearance around the security pin 138 to enable diagonaldisplacement and misalignment of the first tubular element 102 relativeto the second tubular element 104. In some embodiments, the second hole156 may have a larger diameter than a diameter of the first hole 136(FIG. 1) of the first tubular element 102. The larger diameter of thesecond hole 156 may facilitate the first tubular element 102 to bediagonally displaced relative to the second tubular element 104. In someembodiments, the first and second holes 136, 156 may have a circular,oval, square, or any other geometric shape. In some embodiments, thefirst and second holes 136, 156 may have different shapes in relation toeach other.

The trailer hitch receptacle 132 may include interior walls 130 sizedand configured to receive the trailer hitch assembly 100 therein when inuse. The second end 148 of the second tubular element 104 may beconfigured to be inserted into the trailer hitch receptacle 132. Whenthe trailer hitch assembly 100 is inserted into the trailer hitchreceptacle 132 there may be some distance 134 between the side walls110, lower wall 114, and/or the upper wall 112 of either tubular element102, 104 and the interior walls 130 of the trailer hitch receptacle 132.When the trailer hitch assembly 100 is inserted into the trailer hitchreceptacle 132, the elongated bolt 160 may be inserted through the firstactuator hole 162 of the ball mount 115 and the threaded end 168 of theelongated bolt 160 may be engaged with the first threaded center hole180 of the nut 178. The elongated bolt 160 may be turned with thetightening tool 196. Turning of the elongated bolt 160 may bring thefirst tubular element 102 and the second tubular element 104 closertogether, if the two tubular elements 102, 104 were separated initially.The elongated bolt 160 may be turned at least until the first angled end108 of the first tubular element 102 contacts the second angled end 128of the second tubular element 104. Upon contact of the first angled end108 of the first tubular element 102 with the second angled end 128 ofthe second tubular element 104, and upon continued turning of theelongated bolt 160, the first angled end 108 of the first tubularelement 102 may slide along the second angled end 128 of the secondtubular element 104. The sliding of the first tubular element 102relative to the second tubular element 104 may result in diagonal andlateral displacement and misalignment of the first and second tubularelements 102, 104 relative to each other. The diagonal and lateraldisplacement and misalignment caused by sliding of the first tubularelement 102 relative to the second tubular element 104 may reduce thedistance 134 between the side walls 110, lower wall 114, and/or theupper wall 112 of either tubular element 102, 104 and the interior walls130 of the trailer hitch receptacle 132 and may result in the side walls110, upper wall 112, and/or lower wall 114 of one or both of the firstand second tubular elements 102, 104 pressing against the interior walls130 of the trailer hitch receptacle 132.

In embodiments where the first planar surface 118 extends from the firstedge 120 of the first tubular element 102 to the second edge 122 of thefirst tubular element 102 diagonally opposite the first edge 120 andwhere the acute angle β is defined by imaginary line 127 and the line126 defined by the first edge 120, diagonal displacement of the twotubular elements 102, 104 relative to each other may result in each sidewall 110, the upper wall 112, and the lower wall 114 of the each tubularelement 102, 104 pressing against an interior wall 130 of the trailerhitch receptacle 132. In embodiments where the first planar surface 118extends from one side wall 110 of the first tubular element 102 to theother side wall 110 of the first tubular element 102 diagonaldisplacement of the two tubular elements 102, 104 relative to each othermay result in the side walls 110 of each tubular element 102, 104pressing against interior walls 130 of the trailer hitch receptacle 132.The contact of side walls 110, upper wall 112, and/or lower wall 114 ofeither tubular element 102, 104 against the interior walls 130 of thetrailer hitch receptacle 132 may increase stability and reduce (e.g.,prevent) wobbling of the trailer hitch assembly 100 within the trailerhitch receptacle 132 during use.

Conventional trailer hitches may have some wobble between the trailerhitch and the trailer hitch receptacle when the trailer hitch isinserted in a trailer hitch receptacle. The wobble from side of side ofthe trailer hitch within the trailer hitch may begin as a minutemovement, and when a vehicle employing the trailer hitch is moving downa hill, the wobble may be increased exponentially as inertia moves thetrailer back and forth. The magnified wobble at the back end of thetrailer can result in the rear of the trailer swaying or “fish tailing”several feet, which in turn can be a dangerous side effect of haulinglong trailers. Reducing the wobble of the trailer hitch within thetrailer hitch receptacle, due to the trailer hitch being secured in theabove described manner, may reduce the extent of sway or “fish tailing”that occurs at the back end of the trailer, and, thus, may increase thesafety of hauling trailers, especially long trailers. Furthermore,providing contact between the walls of the trailer hitch assembly 100and the interior walls 130 of the trailer hitch receptacle 132 may addmechanical interference between the trailer hitch assembly 100 andtrailer hitch receptacle 132, which may reduce the likelihood of thetrailer hitch assembly 100 being pulled out of the trailer hitchreceptacle 132 while pulling a trailer, should the security pin 138(FIG. 1) fail or forget to be inserted by a user.

The acute angle β (FIG. 2) may be relatively small (e.g., less thanabout 45 degrees) or relatively large (e.g., more than about 45degrees). When the acute angle β (FIG. 2) is smaller, the lateraldisplacement of the tubular elements 102, 104 relative to each other andrelative to an amount of sliding upon actuation may be smaller.Therefore, when the distance 134 between the side walls 110, upper wall112, and/or lower wall 114 of the tubular elements 102, 104 and theinterior walls 130 of the trailer hitch receptacle 132 is relativelylarge, a larger acute angle may facilitate in pressing the side walls110, upper wall 112, and/or lower wall 114 of the tubular elements 102,104 against the interior walls 130 of the trailer hitch receptacle 132.On the other hand, when the distance 134 between the side walls 110,upper wall 112, and/or lower wall 114 of the tubular elements 102, 104and the interior walls 130 of a trailer hitch receptacle 132 isrelatively small, a smaller acute angle β (FIG. 2) may be sufficient.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first tubular element 102 of thetrailer hitch assembly 100 of FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIG. 4, in otherembodiments, the trailer hitch assembly 100 may include a guide lip 142instead of or in addition to the at least one guide projection 140. Theguide lip 142 may protrude from an interior surface 144 (see FIG. 3) ofat least one of the first and second tubular elements 102, 104 in alongitudinal direction and proximate an angled end of the tubularelement to which the guide lip 142 is attached. The guide lip 142 mayhave sufficient clearance relative to the tubular element to which theguide lip 142 is not attached to enable the two tubular elements 102,104 to be diagonally displaced relative to one another. In someembodiments, the guide lip 142 may protrude from an entire perimeter 146of an angled end 108, 128 of the tubular element 102, 104 to which theguide lip 142 is attached. In other embodiments, the guide lip 142 mayrun along only a portion or multiple portions of the entire perimeter146 of an angled end 108, 128 of one of the tubular elements 102, 104and may protrude from a complementary portion or multiple portions ofthe entire perimeter 146 of the other of the tubular elements 102, 104.For example, the guide lip 142 may be attached to a portion of the firstangled end 108 of the first tubular element 102 and a complementaryguide lip 142 may be attached to the second angled end 128 of the secondtubular element 104. In yet other embodiments, the guide lip 142 may beattached to only a portion of the entire perimeter 146 of only one ofthe two tubular elements 102, 104. For example, the guide lip 142 may beattached only to a portion of the first angled end 108 of the firsttubular element 102. In other embodiments, the trailer hitch assembly100 may include at least one guide projection 140 and a guide lip 142.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged partial side view of an angled end of a firsttubular element 102 of the trailer hitch assembly 100 of FIG. 1. The atleast one guide projection 140 may include two guide projections 140. Insome embodiments, one of the two guide projections 140 may be secured toan edge within one of the two tubular elements 102, 104 and the other ofthe two guide projections 140 may be secured to a diagonally oppositeedge within the same tubular element 102 or 104. In other embodiments,one of the two guide projections 140 may be secured to an edge withinone of the two tubular elements 102, 104 and the other of the two guideprojections 140 may be secured to a diagonally opposite edge of theother of the two tubular elements 102, 104. For example, the at leastone guide projection 140 may include a single guide projection 140secured to one edge inside of the first tubular element 102 andprotruding from the first angled end 108 and another single guideprojection 140 secured to one edge inside of the second tubular element104 and protruding from the second angled end 128. In embodimentscomprising two guide projections 140, the two guide projections 140 maybe attached to any edge within either the first tubular element 102 orthe second tubular element 104, in any configuration. For example, insome embodiments, one of the two guide projections 140 may be attachedto the first edge 120 of the first tubular element 102 and the other ofthe two guide projections 140 may be attached to the second edge 122 ofthe first tubular element 102. In other embodiments, one of the twoguide projections 140 may be attached to the third edge 152 of thesecond tubular element 104 and the other of the two guide projections140 may be attached to the fourth edge 154 of the second tubular element104. In yet another embodiment, one of the two guide projections 140 maybe attached to the second edge 122 of the first tubular element 102 andthe other of the two guide projections 140 may be attached to the fourthedge 154 of the second tubular element 104. In yet another embodiment,one of the two guide projections 140 may be attached to the first edge120 of the first tubular element 102 and the other of the two guideprojections 140 may be attached to the third edge 152 of the secondtubular element 104.

The at least one guide projection 140 may be disposed and configuredsuch that there is sufficient clearance between a protruding portion ofthe at least one guide projection 140 and the tubular element 102, 104in which the protruding portion may be inserted to facilitate diagonaldisplacement and misalignment of the tubular elements 102, 104 relativeto each other. In some embodiments, the at least one guide projection140 may be secured within at least one of the two tubular elements 102,104 such that upon actuation and diagonal displacement of the twotubular elements 102, 104 relative to one another, a portion of the atleast one guide projection 140 extending into the tubular element 102,104 to which the at least one guide projection 140 is not secured may bemoved toward the central axis of the tubular element 102, 104 to whichthe at least one guide projection 140 is not secured. For example, theat least one guide projection 140 may be secured within the firsttubular element 102 and when the two tubular elements 102, 104 arealigned, a portion of the at least one projection may extend into thesecond tubular element 104. Upon actuation and diagonal displacement ofthe two tubular elements 102, 104 relative to one another, the portionof the at least one guide projection 140 extending into the secondtubular element 104 may be moved toward the second central axis 171 ofthe second tubular element 104. In embodiments where at least one guideprojection 140 is secured within both tubular elements 102, 104, uponactuation and diagonal displacement of the two tubular elements 102, 104relative to one another, the at least one guide projection 140 securedwithin the first tubular element 102 and the at least one projection 140secured within the second tubular element 104 move toward each other.

The at least one guide projection 140 may be configured to facilitatekeeping the first tubular element 102 and second tubular element 104together and generally aligned through mechanical interference when theactuator 158 (FIG. 3) is not engaged (or is loosely engaged) with boththe first tubular element 102 and second tubular element 104. Forexample, the at least one guide projection 140 may provide sufficientmechanical interference between the first tubular element 102 and secondtubular element 104 to hold the two tubular elements 102, 104 togetherand generally aligned when the elongated bolt 160 is merely insertedinto the first actuator hole 162 of the ball mount 115 but is notthreaded into the first threaded center hole 180 of the nut 178 securedin the nut mount 164. The orientation of the at least one guideprojection 140 and resulting mechanical interference between the atleast one guide projection 140 and both tubular elements 102, 104 mayassist a user to keep the first tubular element 102 and second tubularelement 104 together and generally aligned when inserting the trailerhitch assembly 100 into a trailer hitch receptacle 132 without firstthreading the elongated bolt 160 into the first threaded center hole 180of the nut 178 secured in the secured portion 172 of the nut mount 164.In some embodiments, the at least one guide projection 140 may beconfigured to facilitate aligning the first tubular element 102 with thesecond tubular element 104 while both tubular elements 102, 104 are atleast partially within the trailer hitch receptacle 132 (FIG. 3).

The at least one guide projection 140 may keep the trailer hitchassembly 100 aligned for easy insertion into the trailer hitchreceptacle 132. The at least one guide projection 140 may also reducestress on the elongated bolt 160 and/or nut 178 upon actuation of theactuator 158. Furthermore, the at least one guide projection 140 mayhelp to reduce damage caused to the actuator 158 and elements thereofwhen the trailer hitch assembly 100 is not being used. For example, whenthe trailer hitch assembly 100 is not in use within trailer hitchreceptacle 132, without the at least one guide projection 140, the twotubular elements 102 and 104 may become displaced relative to each otherto such a point that stress would be placed on the secured portion 172,nut mount 164, nut 178, and elongated bolt 160. Due to the stress, thethreads of the elongated bolt 160, nut 178, or second threaded centerhole 182 (FIG. 9) may become stripped. Furthermore, the stress may causethe nut 178 to dislodge within the secured portion 172. Moreover, thestress may break components of the actuator 158. Thus, by including theat least one guide projection 140, the two tubular elements 102, 104 maybe prevented from displacing relative to each other to points that causedamaging stress loads on the actuator 158 and components thereof.

FIG. 6 is a cutaway side view of a second tubular element 104 and nutmount 164 of the trailer hitch assembly 100 of FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is an endview of the nut mount 164 and trailer hitch assembly 100 of FIG. 6.Referring to both FIGS. 6 and 7, in some embodiments and as discussedabove, the nut mount 164 of the actuator 158 may include the securedportion 172 secured to the third edge 152 and at least a portion of eachof the lower wall 114 and a side wall 110 inside the second tubularelement 104. The nut mount 164 may be secured within the second tubularelement 104 at a location between the second hole 156 and the end of thethird edge 152 on the second angled end 128, relative to thelongitudinal length of the trailer hitch assembly 100. Furthermore, whenthe first tubular element 102 is aligned with the second tubular element104, the nut mount 164 may be closer, in relation to the longitudinallength of the trailer hitch assembly 100, to the ball mount 115 of thefirst tubular element 102 than either the first hole 136 in the firsttubular element 102 or the second hole 156 of the second tubular element104. The placement of the nut mount 164 closer to the ball mount 115than the first and second holes 136, 156 enables the elongated bolt 160to be centered on the first central axis 170 of the first tubularelement 102 and the second central axis 171 of the second tubularelement 104 without interfering with the security pin 138 extendingthrough the first hole 136 and second hole 156. The secured portion 172of the nut mount 164 may be a thick bar or plate of metal. The secondcentral axis 171 of the second tubular element 104 may extend through acenter of the second actuator hole 174. The secured portion 172 mayinclude the second actuator hole 174. The second actuator hole 174 mayinclude an enlarged portion 176 for accommodating the nut 178. Theenlarged portion 176 of the second actuator hole 174 may have, forexample, an octagonal shape, circular shape, hexagonal shape, or anyother geometric shape for accommodating the nut 178 inside.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a tubular element and nut mount 164 of atrailer hitch assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. As previously discussed, the nut 178 may be secured in theenlarged portion 176 of the second actuator hole 174 and may have thefirst threaded center hole 180 extending therethrough, which may bethreaded to match threads of the threaded end 168 of the elongated bolt160. The nut 178 may be secured to the secured portion 172 by, forexample, welding, press fitting, adhesive, tape, glue, and/or mechanicalinterference. When the first tubular element 102 is aligned with thesecond tubular element 104, the threaded end 168 of the elongated bolt160 may be received into first threaded center hole 180 of the nut 178(FIGS. 3 and 8). Securing the nut 178 within the enlarged portion 176 ofthe second actuator hole 174 may facilitate engagement of the threadedend 168 of the elongated bolt 160 with the nut mount 164 while the firsttubular element 102 and the second tubular element 104 are disposed inthe trailer hitch receptacle 132 (FIG. 3). Furthermore, securing the nut178 within the enlarged portion 176 of the second actuator hole 174 mayremove the necessity to have a tool hold the nut 178 in place while theelongated bolt 160 is threaded into the first threaded center hole 180of the nut 178. The second actuator hole 174 may have, for example, anoctagonal shape, circular shape, hexagonal shape, or any other geometricshape.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a tubular element and nut mount 164 of atrailer hitch assembly 100 according to another embodiment of thepresent disclosure. In some embodiments, the nut mount 164 may notinclude a second actuator hole 174 or a nut 178. Rather, the securedportion 172 of the nut mount 164 may include a second threaded centerhole 182 extending through the secured portion 172. The threads of thesecond threaded center hole 182 may complementarily match the threads ofthe threaded end 168 of the elongated bolt 160 so that the elongatedbolt 160 can be received directly into the second threaded center hole182 of the secured portion 172.

FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view of the actuator 158 and trailerhitch assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.As shown, in some embodiments of the trailer hitch assembly 100, theactuator 158 may include a quick release cam lever system 184, such as aquick release cam lever system similar to the quick release cam leversystem discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,260,931 to Stewart, filed Sep. 23,1997, instead of an elongated bolt 160 and nut 178. The disclosure ofU.S. Pat. No. 6,260,931 is incorporated herein in its entirety by thisreference. The quick release cam lever system 184 may include a camlever 186 at one end of a rod 188 and an adjustment nut 190 on anotherend of the rod 188. The quick release cam lever system 184 may furtherinclude a contact disk 192 disposed next to the cam lever 186. The rod188 may extend through first actuator hole 162 of the ball mount 115 andthough the second actuator hole 174 of the secured portion 172. Theadjustment nut 190 may be attached to an end of the rod 188 protrudingfrom the secured portion 172, as illustrated in FIG. 10. The adjustmentnut 190 may be configured to change an initial distance between theadjustment nut 190 and the cam lever 186 along the rod 188. The contactdisk 192 and cam lever 186 may be attached to another end of the rod 188protruding from the ball mount 115, as illustrated in FIG. 10. The camlever 186 may further include a cam lobe portion 194. During use, theadjustment nut 190 may be adjusted such that, when the cam lever 186 isbrought into a position substantially perpendicular to the rod 188 andthe cam lobe portion 194 is brought into contact with the contact disk192, the first angled end 108 of the first tubular element 102 is atleast brought into contact with the second angled end 128 of the secondtubular element 104. The adjustment nut 190 may further be adjusted suchthat, when the cam lever 186 is brought into a position substantiallyperpendicular to the rod 188 and the cam lobe portion 194 is broughtinto contact with the contact disk 192, the first angled end 108 of thefirst tubular element 102 slides along the second angled end 128 of thesecond tubular element 104. The sliding of the first tubular element 102relative to the second tubular element 104 may result in diagonal andlateral displacement and misalignment of the first and second tubularelements 102, 104 relative to each other. The diagonal and lateraldisplacement and misalignment caused by sliding of the first tubularelement 102 relative to the second tubular element 104 may reduce thedistance 134 between the side walls 110, lower wall 114, and/or theupper wall 112 of either tubular element 102, 104 and the interior walls130 of the trailer hitch receptacle 132 and may result in the side walls110, upper wall 112, and/or lower wall 114 of one or both of the firstand second tubular elements 102, 104 pressing against the interior walls130 of the trailer hitch receptacle 132.

The quick release cam lever system 184 may keep the first tubularelement 102 connected to the second tubular element 104 even when thetrailer hitch assembly 100 is not in use. Furthermore, the quick releasecam lever system 184 may remove a need to have a tightening tool 196 toengage the elongated bolt 160 (FIG. 3) in order to cause diagonaldisplacement and misalignment. With the quick release cam lever system184, the trailer hitch assembly 100 may remain a single connected unitwithout disconnecting the first tubular element 102 from the secondtubular element 104. Moreover, the quick release cam lever system 184may decrease the amount of time needed to secure the trailer hitchassembly 100 within a trailer hitch receptacle 132.

FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view of an actuator 158 of the trailerhitch assembly 100 according to another embodiment of the presentdisclosure. As shown, in some embodiments, the actuator 158 may includea cam lock system 200 instead of the elongated bolt 160 and nut 178. Thecam lock system 200 may include the secured portion 172 of the nut mount164 (FIG. 3) and a cam rod 202. The cam rod 202 may include a handleportion 206 for turning the cam rod 202. The actuator 158 may furtherinclude a cam lock 208 secured to a portion of the ball mount 115 abovethe straight hole 204. The cam lock 208 may include an inclined plane210 and a notch 212. For example, the inclined plane 210 may be definedby a chamfered edge or a triangular member. The cam rod 202 may berotatably secured within the secured portion 172 and may extend throughthe first actuator hole 162 (FIG. 3) of the ball mount 115. In someembodiments, the first actuator hole 162 may include a straight hole 204through which the cam rod 202 extends, as illustrated in FIG. 11.

During use, the trailer hitch assembly 100 may be inserted into atrailer hitch receptacle 132 with the cam rod 202 in a position outsideof the notch 212 of the cam lock 208. With the trailer hitch assembly100 inserted in the trailer hitch receptacle 132, the handle portion 206of the cam rod 202 may be brought across the inclined plane 210 of thecam lock 208 and into the notch 212, locking the cam rod 202 in place.The action of bringing the handle portion 206 of the cam rod 202 intothe notch 212 of the cam lock 208 may force the cam rod 202 to movealong the longitudinal length of the trailer hitch assembly 100 in adirection extending from the second tubular element 104 to the firsttubular element 102. When the cam rod 202 moves along the longitudinallength of the trailer hitch assembly 100, the cam rod 202 may bring thesecured portion 172 of the nut mount 164 (FIG. 3) closer to the ballmount 115. A length of the cam rod 202 and corresponding size of theinclined plane 210 of the cam lock 208 may be configured such that, whenthe handle portion 206 of the cam rod 202 is brought across the inclinedplane 210 of the cam lock 208 and disposed into the notch 212, the firstangled end 108 of the first tubular element 102 is at least brought intocontact with the second angled end 128 of the second tubular element104. The length of the cam rod 202 and corresponding size of theinclined plane 210 of the cam lock 208 may be further configured suchthat, when the handle portion 206 of the cam rod 202 is brought acrossthe inclined plane 210 of the cam lock 208 and disposed into the notch212, the first angled end 108 of the first tubular element 102 slidesalong the second angled end 128 of the second tubular element 104.

The sliding of the first tubular element 102 relative to the secondtubular element 104 may result in diagonal and lateral displacement andmisalignment of the first and second tubular elements 102, 104 relativeto each other. The diagonal and lateral displacement and misalignmentcaused by sliding of the first tubular element 102 relative to thesecond tubular element 104 may reduce the distance 134 between the sidewalls 110, lower wall 114, and/or the upper wall 112 of either tubularelement 102, 104 and the interior walls 130 of the trailer hitchreceptacle 132 (FIG. 3) and may result in the side walls 110, upper wall112, and/or lower wall 114 of one or both of the first and secondtubular elements 102, 104 pressing against the interior walls 130 of thetrailer hitch receptacle 132.

The cam lock system 200 may keep the first tubular element 102 connectedto the second tubular element 104 even when the trailer hitch assembly100 is not in use. Furthermore, the cam lock system 200 may remove aneed to have a tightening tool 196 to engage the elongated bolt 160 inorder to cause diagonal displacement and misalignment. With the cam locksystem 200, the trailer hitch assembly 100 may remain a single connectedunit without disconnecting the first tubular element 102 from the secondtubular element 104. Moreover, the cam lock system 200 may decrease theamount of time needed to secure the trailer hitch assembly 100 within atrailer hitch receptacle 132.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the secured portion 172and cam rod 202 of the actuator 158 of FIG. 11. As shown, the cam rod202 may have a slotted end 214 having a slot 216 extending radially atleast partially around at least a portion of cam rod 202. The cam locksystem 200 may include at least one slot pin 218 secured in the securedportion 172. The slotted end 214 of the cam rod 202 may be secured inthe secured portion 172 by the at least one slot pin 218 extendingperpendicular to the cam rod 202 and through a portion of the slot 216of the slotted end 214 of the cam rod 202. The slotted end 214 of thecam rod 202 being secured by at least one slot pin 218 may enable thecam rod 202 to be rotatably secured within the secured portion 172.

FIG. 13 is a top view of the cam lock 208, handle portion 206 of the camrod 202, and ball mount 115 of the trailer hitch assembly 100 of FIG.11. As shown, the notch 212 of the cam lock 208 may be sized and shapedto receive the handle portion 206 of the cam rod 202 at least partiallywithin the notch 212. Furthermore, as depicted, the inclined plane 210may facilitate bringing the handle portion 206 of the cam rod 202 froman unlocked position to a locked position. The cam lock 208 may have agenerally rectangular shape with portions of edges of the rectangularshape missing and forming the inclined plane 210 (e.g., a chamfered camlock 208). However, the present disclosure is not so limited. The camlock 208 may have a semi-circular shape with the notch 212 located atmidpoint of a peripheral edge of the semi-circular shape. Furthermore,the cam lock 208 may have any geometric shape (e.g., a triangular shape)having a notch therein to secure the handle portion 206 of the cam rod202.

In other embodiments, the present disclosure includes methods of forminga trailer hitch assembly 100. In accordance with such methods, twotubular elements 102, 104 may be formed having complementary angledends. The two tubular elements 102, 104 may be formed with complementaryends by, for example, forming a single rectangular tubular element andcutting the single rectangular tubular element in half. The cut may bestarted from a first edge of the single rectangular tubular element andfinished at a second edge diagonally opposite the first edge. The cutmay be at an acute angle relative to a line defined by the first edge ofthe single rectangular tubular element along the longitudinal length ofthe single rectangular tubular element. The cut may form thecomplementary angled end of each tubular element 102, 104. In otherembodiments, the cut may be started from a side wall of the singlerectangular tubular element and finished at another side wall of thesingle rectangular tubular element. The cut may be at an acute anglerelative to the side wall from which the cut is started. In someembodiments, to form the single rectangular tubular element, a singlesheet of metal may be bent into a rectangular shape and a resulting openedge may be sealed with a weld. In other embodiments, a singlerectangular tubular element may be formed by welding four separatepieces of metal together. In yet other embodiments, the singlerectangular tubular element may formed by extruding or casting thesingle rectangular tubular element.

In yet other embodiments, the two tubular elements 102, 104 havingcomplementary ends may be formed by, for example, forming the firsttubular element 102 from a single rectangular tubular element andforming the first angled end 108 on the first tubular element 102 andforming the second tubular element 104 from a separate singlerectangular tubular element and forming the second angled end 128 on thesecond tubular element 104.

The first angled end 108 on the first tubular element 102 and the secondangled end 128 on the second tubular element 104 may be formed by, forexample, grinding away portions of the first tubular element 102 andsecond tubular element 104 until an angled shape is achieved. In otherembodiments, the first angled end 108 on the first tubular element 102and the second angled end 128 on the second tubular element 104 may beformed by cutting each tubular element as described above. The cuts maybe started from a first edge of each tubular element 102, 104 andfinished at a second edge diagonally opposite the first edge of eachtubular element. The cut in each tubular element 102, 104 may be at anacute angle relative to a line defined by the first edge of each tubularelement along the longitudinal length of each tubular element 102, 104.In other embodiments, the cuts may be started from one side wall 110 ofeach tubular element 102, 104 and finished at another side wall 110 ofeach tubular element. The cut in each tubular element 102, 104 may be atan acute angle relative to the side wall 110 from which the cuts arestarted relative to the longitudinal length of each tubular element 102,104. Each tubular element 102, 104 may be cut such that the cut ends ofthe respective tubular elements 102, 104 form complementary angled ends.Furthermore, the tubular elements 102, 104 may be cut such that thecomplementary angled ends of the respective tubular elements 102, 104may be configured to align one with another.

In yet other embodiments, the two tubular elements 102, 104 havingcomplementary ends may be formed by extruding or casting a first tubularelement 102 having the first angled end 108 and extruding or casting thesecond tubular element 104 having the second angled end 128 such thatthe first angled end 108 and the second angled end 128 may becomplementary to each other.

In some embodiments, a hole may be formed in a side wall 110 of each ofthe two tubular elements 102, 104. The holes may be formed by, forexample, drilling, punching, or cutting (e.g., with a torch) a hole in aside wall 110 of each of the two tubular elements 102, 104. In yetanother embodiment, the holes may be formed by drilling a hole throughboth side walls 110 of a single rectangular tubular element before thesingle rectangular tubular element is cut in half. The holes in a sidewall 110 of each of the two tubular elements 102, 104 may be formed suchthat a hole in one of the two tubular elements 102, 104 aligns with ahole in the other of the two tubular elements 102, 104 when the twotubular elements 102, 104 are aligned such that the security pin 138 mayextend simultaneously through both holes. In some embodiments, the holes136, 156 in the side walls 110 of the two tubular elements 102, 104 maybe formed by forming the first hole 136 in a side wall 110 of the firsttubular element 102 and forming the second hole 156 in a side wall 110of the second tubular element 104.

At least one guide projection 140 may be attached to an interior surface144 of at least one of the two tubular elements 102, 104. For example,the at least one guide projection 140 may be attached (e.g., welded) tothe interior surface 144 of the first tubular element 102. In someembodiments, the at least one guide projection 140 may be secured withinone of the two tubular elements 102, 104 such that at least a portion ofthe at least one guide projection 140 extends from an angled end of thetubular element to which the at least one guide projection 140 isattached. For example, the at least one guide projection 140 may besecured within the first tubular element 102 with at least a portion ofthe at least one guide projection 140 extending from the first angledend 108. In other embodiments, at least one guide projection 140 may beattached to the first tubular element 102 and at least one guideprojection 140 may be attached to the second tubular element 104. In yetanother embodiment, at least two guide projections 140 may be attachedto either the first tubular element 102 or the second tubular element104.

The at least one guide projection 140 may be attached within at leastone two tubular elements 102, 104 at an edge of the tubular element 102,104. In some embodiments, at least one guide projection 140 may beattached at an edge of the tubular element 102, 104 and at least oneguide projection 140 may be attached to a diagonally opposite edge ofthe same tubular element 102, 104. In other embodiments, at least oneguide projection 140 may be secured at an edge of the first tubularelement 102 and at least one guide projection 140 may be attached to anedge of the second tubular element 104 that is diagonally opposite theedge of the first tubular element 102 when the first tubular element 102and the second tubular element 104 are aligned. In other embodiments,the at least one guide projection 140 may be attached to a side wall 110of at least one of the two tubular elements 102, 104. In yet anotherembodiment, the at least one guide projection 140 may be attached toboth an edge and a side wall 110 of at least one of the two tubularelements 102, 104.

In other embodiments of the trailer hitch assembly 100 of the presentdisclosure, a guide lip 142 may be attached to or formed on an interiorsurface 144 of at least one of the two tubular elements 102, 104 insteadof or in addition to the at least one guide projection 140. The guidelip 142 may be attached or formed along the entire perimeter 146 of theangled end of either the first tubular element 102 or the second tubularelement 104. In other embodiments, the guide lip 142 may be attached orformed on only a portion or portions of the entire perimeter 146 of theangled end of one of the two tubular elements 102, 104 and on acomplementary portion or portions of the entire perimeter 146 of theangled end of the other of the two tubular elements 102, 104. Forexample, a guide lip 142 may be attached to the first tubular element102 and another guide lip 142 may be attached to the second tubularelement 104. In yet other embodiments, the guide lip 142 may be attachedto only a portion of the entire perimeter 146 of the angled end of onlyone of the two tubular elements 102, 104. For example, the guide lip 142may be attached only to a portion of the entire perimeter 146 of thefirst angled end 108 of the first tubular element 102. The guide lip 142may be attached to an angled end of at least one of the two tubularelements 102, 104 such that at least a portion of the guide lip 142extends or protrudes from the angled end of the tubular element 102, 104in a longitudinal direction and proximate the angled end of the tubularelement to which the guide lip 142 is attached.

The second actuator hole 174 may be formed in the secured portion 172 ofthe second tubular element 104 and the secured portion 172 may beattached or secured to the interior surface 144 of the second tubularelement 104. The secured portion 172 may be attached to an edge of thesecond tubular element 104 and at least one of the upper wall 112 orlower wall 114 and a side wall 110. The secured portion 172 may beattached through, for example, welding, adhesive, and/or mechanicalinterference. The secured portion 172 may be attached such that thesecond central axis 171 of the second tubular element 104 extendsthrough a center of the second actuator hole 174. The first actuatorhole 162 may be formed in the ball mount 115 such that when the ballmount 115 is attached to the first tubular element 102, the firstcentral axis 170 of the first tubular element 102 extends through acenter of the first actuator hole 162. The nut 178 may be secured withinin the enlarged portion 176 of the second actuator hole 174 of thesecond tubular element 104. The nut 178 may have a first threaded centerhole 180 formed therein. The nut 178 may be secured through, forexample, welding, press fitting, adhering, taping, gluing, and/orproviding other mechanical interference.

The ball mount 115 may be attached to the first tubular element 102. Theball mount 115 may be attached through, for example, welding, adhering,and/or providing other mechanical interference. In some embodiments, theball mount 115 may be formed when the first tubular element 102 isformed. For example, in embodiments where the first tubular element 102is cast, the ball mount 115 may be cast as part of the first tubularelement 102. The elongated bolt 160 may be inserted through the firstactuator hole 162 and the threaded end 168 of the elongated bolt 160 maythreaded at least partially into the first threaded center hole 180 ofthe nut 178 secured in the secured portion 172 of the second tubularelement 104. In some embodiments, the elongated bolt 160 may be insertedthrough the first actuator hole 162 prior to a ball being mounted withinthe ball mount hole 116 in the ball mount 115.

In other embodiments, the second threaded center hole 182 may be formeddirectly in the secured portion 172. When the secured portion 172 issecured to the second tubular element 104, by the second central axis171 of the second tubular element 104 may extend through a center of thesecond threaded center hole 182. The threaded end 168 of the elongatedbolt 160 may be threaded into the second threaded center hole 182 of thesecured portion 172.

In yet other embodiments, the actuator 158 of the trailer hitch assembly100 may be formed by forming the quick release cam lever system 184. Thequick release cam lever system 184 may be formed by attaching the camlever 186 to one end of the rod 188 and the adjustment nut 190 toanother end of the rod 188. A contact disk 192 may be disposed next tothe cam lever 186. The rod 188 may be inserted through the firstactuator hole 162 of the ball mount 115 and through the second actuatorhole 174 of the secured portion 172. The cam lever 186 may be formed toinclude a cam lobe portion 194.

In yet other embodiments, the actuator 158 of the trailer hitch assembly100 may be formed by forming the cam lock system 200. The cam locksystem 200 may be formed by securing the secured portion 172 within thesecond tubular element 104 as described above. The cam rod 202 of thecam lock system 200 may be rotatably secured within the secured portion172, and may be disposed to extend through the straight hole 204 of theball mount 115. The cam rod 202 may be formed to include a handleportion 206. The cam lock 208 may be secured to a portion of the ballmount 115 above the straight hole 204. The cam lock 208 may be formed byforming an inclined plane 210 and a notch 212 configured to receive aportion of the handle portion 206 of the cam rod 202. The cam lock 208may be formed from any geometric shape.

The various components (e.g., first tubular element 102, second tubularelement 104, actuator 158, and/or nut 178) of the trailer hitch assembly110 described above may be provided separately to an end user, or two ormore of the components may be pre-assembled prior to reaching the enduser.

The example embodiments of the disclosure described above do not limitthe scope of the invention, since these embodiments are merely examplesof embodiments of the invention, which is defined by the scope of theappended claims and their legal equivalents. Any equivalent embodimentsare intended to be within the scope of this invention. Indeed, variousmodifications of the disclosure, in addition to those shown anddescribed herein, such as alternative useful combinations of theelements described, will become apparent to those skilled in the artfrom the description. Such modifications and embodiments are alsointended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A trailer hitch assembly, comprising: two hitchmembers, each hitch member of the two hitch members having an angledend, wherein the angled ends of the two hitch members are configured tocomplementarily align one with another; an actuator configured to engageboth of the two hitch members and to displace the two hitch membersrelative to one another; a first hole in a side wall of one of the twohitch members; and a second hole in a side wall of the other of the twohitch members, the first hole and the second hole configured to bealigned when the two hitch members are aligned along the angled ends ofthe two hitch members and to receive a security pin simultaneouslythrough both the first hole and second hole.
 2. The trailer hitchassembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one guide projectiondisposed within at least one of the two hitch members.
 3. The trailerhitch assembly of claim 2, wherein the at least one guide projectioncomprises at least two guide projections.
 4. The trailer hitch assemblyof claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises: an elongated bolt extendingaxially through a first hitch member of the two hitch members and atleast partially into a second hitch member of the two hitch members, theelongated bolt having a head end and a threaded end; and a nut mountdisposed within the second hitch member and having a threaded holeconfigured to receive the threaded end of the elongated bolt.
 5. Amethod of forming a trailer hitch assembly, comprising: forming twohitch members having complementary angled ends, wherein the two hitchmembers are configured to align together along the complementary angledends; forming a hole in a side wall of each of the two hitch members;attaching at least one guide projection to an interior surface of atleast one of the two hitch members; and attaching a ball mount to one ofthe two hitch members.
 6. The method of forming a trailer hitch assemblyof claim 5, further comprising: forming a first actuator hole throughthe ball mount; forming a second actuator hole through a nut mount, thesecond actuator hole having an enlarged portion; securing the nut mountto the interior surface of one of the two hitch members and aligning thesecond actuator hole of the nut mount axially with the first actuatorhole of the ball mount; positioning a nut within the enlarged portion ofthe second actuator hole of the nut mount; inserting an elongated boltthrough the first actuator hole in the ball mount; and engaging theelongated bolt with the nut.
 7. The method of forming a trailer hitchassembly of claim 5, wherein forming two hitch members havingcomplementary angled ends comprises cutting a single rectangular hitchmember from a first edge of the single rectangular hitch member to asecond, diagonally opposite edge of the single rectangular hitch memberat an acute angle relative to a line defined by the first edge of thesingle rectangular hitch member along a longitudinal length of thesingle rectangular hitch member.
 8. The method of forming a trailerhitch assembly of claim 5, wherein attaching at least one guideprojection to an interior surface of at least one of the two hitchmembers comprises attaching at least one guide projection to both of thetwo hitch members.
 9. The method of forming a trailer hitch assembly ofclaim 5, wherein attaching at least one guide projection to an interiorsurface of at least one of the two hitch members comprises attaching twoguide projections to the interior surface of one of the two hitchmembers.